Apparatus for the selective administration of barium and air



May 3, 1955 F. o. FRISCH I 2,707,468

APPARATUS FOR THE SELECTIVE ADMINISTRATION 0F BARIUM AND AIR Filed May 10, 1954 IN VEN TOR. Frank 0. Fr/sch & M W K, m/ w M a F 0 H N". E M

United States Patent APPARATUS FOR THE SELECTIVE ADMINISTRA- TION 0F BARIUM AND AIR Frank 0. Frisch, San Carlos, Calif., assignor to Barnes- Hind Laboratories, Inc., a corporation of California Application May 10, 1954, Serial No. 428,687 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-231) This invention relates to apparatus for the alternate administration of air and an opaque solution or suspension such as barium sulfate in double contrast fluoroscopic examinations.

In double contrast fluoroscopic examinations, it is necessary to first administer a suspension of an opaque agent, such as barium sulfate, and subsequently administer air to produce the double contrast eflect. This prin ciple in fluoroscopic examinations is well-known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for use in making such examinations.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide apparatus for the administration, alternately, of an opaque suspension and air to a patient.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such equipment which is simple and easy to use and which can be used with safety to the patient.

Other objects and features of advantage will be brought out in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this application:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention shown in the position whereby a barium suspension can be administered.

Figure 2 is a similar perspective view showing the equipment in a position in which air can be administered.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, there is shown a flash 4 equipped with a screw top 6 which has two openings, designated 8 and 10, therein. The openings 8 and 10 are adapted to receive rubber tubing which forms an air and liquid-tight seal with the cap 6. Supporting the cap 6 is a triangular shaped member, generally designated 12, which is rigidly attached to the cap and which determines the relative horizontal positions of the openings 8 and 10. The member 12 is an isosceles triangle wherein the included angle of the two short sides is 90"; the long side is designated 14, and one of the short sides is designated 16 and the other 17.

A tube 18 passes through the opening 8 and enters the jar and terminates in a flutter valve 20. The flutter valve may be of rubber or other suitable material and is wellknown to those skilled in the art; this valve permits air to enter the flask through the tube but does not permit air to leave the flask. The tube 18 leads to a bladder 22 and an air insufliator bulb 24. The bulb 24 is equipped with a one-way valve 26 in the end thereof so that as the bulb is squeezed, air is forced into the bladder 22 and thus into the flask 4. The bladder 22 serves as a storage reservoir which tends to maintain constant pressure within the flask 4.

Leading from the opening 10 is a second piece of rubber tubing 28, which terminates in an adapter 30, which enables the tubing to be screwed onto a conventional rectal tube, not shown. A clamp 32 is provided for shutting oit the tube 28. The tube 28 terminates within the jar in a rigid tube 34, which is bent as shown. A

When the triangle 12 rests on the long side 14, the opening 8 is directly above the opening 10, while if the triangle rests on one of the shorter sides, 16 or 17, the opening 10 is the higher.

To use the equipment, the flask 4 is wholly or partially filled with a suitable suspension, such as a suspension of barium sulfate and the top 6 screwed onto the flask 4. The triangle 12 is allowed to rest on the side designated 14, in which position the tube 34 terminates at a point near the bottom of the jar. The clamp 32 is in an open position, and the bulb 24 is squeezed for a few times to fill the tubing 28 with the barium suspension. The adapter 30 is then attached to a rectal tube, and the bulb 24 is squeezed until the required amount of the barium suspension has been administered to the patient. When the desired amount has been injected, the clamp 32 may be closed and the rectal tube removed from the adapter 30. After the patient ejects the barium suspension, the adapter 30 is again connected to the rectal tube and the triangle 12 is rotated so that it rests on the side 16 or 17. The parts are then in the position shown in Figure 2, wherein the tube 34 terminates near the top of the flask so that it is out of contact with the suspension of barium. The clamp 32 can then be released gently, injecting air into the patient for the double contrast examination. If desired, the air may be injected immediately after the barium, in certain techniques.

It is believed apparent from the above description that I have provided a simple yet effective and safe method of administering air and a barium suspension for use in double contrast fluoroscopic examination.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a jar with a sealed cover, first and second tubes leading into said cover and terminating within the jar, the first of said tubes terminating in a one-way valve and the second tube terminating at a point adjacent the wall of the jar and a triangular support member secured to said cover whereby when the jar is laid on its side and supported by one of. the sides of the support member the first tube is uppermost and when laid on another of its sides the second tube is uppermost.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the triangle is an isosceles triangle having an included angle of between the two equal sides and wherein the second tube is uppermost when supported by either of the equal sides.

3. A device of the character described comprising in combination a jar with a sealed cover, first and second tubes leading into said cover and terminating within the jar, the first of said tubes terminating in a one-way valve and the second tube terminating at a point adjacent the wall of the jar and a triangular support member secured to said cover whereby when the jar is laid on its side and supported by one of the sides of the support member the first tube is uppermost and when laid on another of its sides the second tube is uppermost, flexible tubes leading from the first and second tubes to a point outside the jar, the flexible tube leading from the first tube terminating in an air insufiiator bulb and bladder and the other flexible tube terminating in a rectal pipe adaptor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Caldwell Dec. 20, 1949 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, A JAR WITH A SEALED, FIRST AND SECOND TUBES LEADING INTO SAID COVER AND TERMINATING WITHIN THE JAR, THE FIRST OF SAID TUBES TERMINATING IN A ONE-WAY VALVE AND THE SECOND TUBE TERMINATING AT A POINT ADJACENT THE WALL OF THE JAR AND A TRIANGULAR SUPPORT MEMBER SECURED TO SAID COVER WHEREBY WHEN THE JAR IS LAID ON ITS SIDE AND SUPPORTED BY ONE OF THE SIDES OF THE SUPPORT MEMBER THE FIRST TUBE IS UPPERMOST AND WHEN LAID ON ANOTHER OF ITS SIDES THE SECOND TUBE IS UPPERMOST. 